Framing a Scarf

Hi lovelies!  I recently designed an artistic decorative piece for our home and thought I’d share the process with you. 

My husband and I were figuring out how to decorate our new home together, but we hadn’t been able to come to an agreement on what we wanted! !  We’d had our fair share of trips to Ross, Home Goods, Z Gallerie, Pottery Barn and the likes, but we couldn’t find anything that we liked or within our budget! 

After returning home empty-handed from countless trips, I decided to try researching unique wall decorations online.  Somehow, I came across something new – framing scarves – and was instantly intrigued.

I narrowed down the framing methods to three ways: The first option was to purchase magnetic hooks from Hermes and hang the scarf from all four sides.  While this method would showcase the scarf nicely, it also would leave it exposed and vulnerable, inevitably leading to it getting ruined and stretched out over time. The second option was to flatten out the scarf and secure it between two pieces of Plexiglas, which gives the illusion of a floating scarf and no border.  And finally, the third and most popular framing technique I found was to frame the scarf in a conventional picture frame and showcase it on the wall like any other portrait or painting.

Image: Apartment Therapy 

Image: Live Auctioneers

Image: Hermes

After showing and discussing the different framing methods with my husband, we decided that the third way was the nicest.  So now, we had agreed on a technique-- but we were missing an actual scarf!

From the get-go, I knew that framing an authentic Hermes scarf would be a dream, but I also knew that they were very expensive.  The 16”x16” pocket squares retail for $175, so you can only imagine how expensive the 36”x36” scarves are.  I had read that you could get a better deal on a vintage scarf from a store, an estate sale or even  eBay, but I couldn’t find any scarves that we liked, and I don’t like to purchase expensive items on the internet. 

When I discussed my new decorative idea at a family brunch, my husband’s grandmother mentioned that she had a few scarves in her closet that she would gladly give us.  When we visited her later that weekend she asked us if we would like to take a look at them.  She disappeared into her closet and emerged with boxes of magnificent scarves, many of which she had purchased from her travels across the world, and they were all truly beautiful.  We laid them all out on the dining table to see which would fit perfectly with our current home décor.  While we were examining the scarves she snuck up behind us and told us she had one last special item to show us.  She pulled out this stunning 36”x36” vintage 1965 Les Voitures a Transformation Hermes scarf, in black and gold.  I couldn’t believe she was offering this to us and was just speechless.  

Here is how it came out…

We chose a black wooden frame with a thin gold fillet that would not only accentuate the colors of the scarf, but would act as a small border between the edge of the scarf and the dark frame.

We are so ecstatic and thrilled with the final results and are so thankful that grandma gifted this beautiful scarf to us!  We will have this piece of art forever and we’ve already gotten so many amazing compliments on how it looks!

I hope that you’ve enjoyed this post and that this has perhaps inspired or helped you if you are thinking of a new way to decorate your home.

XOXO,

Grace

Summer Beauty Essentials

Hi dolls! I thought I’d share with you some of my must-haves this summer.  Since I live in sunny California, I tend to stick with things that feel light and have SPF.  So here we go!

1.        Origins GinZing Moisturizer (starting at $26.50)- A lightweight and oil-free moisturizer that is infused with pana ginseng and coffee beans to boost the hydration system of the skin.  It has the fresh scent of citrus and leaves you looking revitalized, healthy and refreshed.

2.        Tarte Cheek Stain ($30)- This super hydrating and multipurpose formula can help you achieve the perfect flushed look and requires no brushes.  Just smile, dot some of the product on your cheeks, and blend along the apples of your cheeks.  Even more than that, it can also double as a lip stain.  I just love a multi-purpose gem!

3.        Becca Mineral Blush in Gypsy ($32)- Like all Becca powders that we love, this blush is finely milled and infused with minerals (hence the name) and antioxidant vitamins.  It gives the most natural looking flush and is also very buildable.

4.        Too Faced Primed and Poreless Powder ($30)-Hands-down the best powder for summer.  It is so silky smooth, it magically erases those annoying pores and fine lines, and literally locks your makeup in place all day long.

5.        Neutrogena Sun Block ($7.39)- An ultra sheer and dry touch formula that gets absorbed into the skin quickly, this cream isn’t sticky, and leaves a matte finish.  On top of that, the added bonus is the fresh and light scent that doesn’t smell like those typical sunscreen lotions.  Make sure you apply this or any other sunscreens AFTER your moisturizer so that you get the most protection, and just because it says it has an SPF of 100 doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be reapplied. Whether you are using an SPF of 15 or 30, try to reapply (if you can) every two hours, or if you’re fair-skinned like me, just try to avoid the sun overall!

6.        Too Faced Soleil Bronzer ($30)- Aside from the fact that this has the most delicious chocolate scent, it has the most delicate and natural matte finish and is super easy to apply.

7.        Tarte Lights Camera Flashes Mascara ($23)- The brush on this mascara is double-sided with two different types of bristles.  The short ones coat the lashes perfectly and help to volumize them, while the longer side lengthens and separates them.  When combined together, the unique brush helps to achieve a daily dramatic look that’s not over the top and won’t flake or dry out. 

8.        Nivea Kiss of Protection ($2.99)- Infused with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Sunflower and Jojoba oils, this lip balm helps to protect your lips from those dangerous UV rays.   It helps to prevent those dried and cracked lips you get in the summer and instead keeps them hydrated, soft, smooth and kissable.

9.        Tarte Tarteguard Sunscreen Lotion (starting at $12)- This newly-released product from Tarte has an SPF of 30, moisturizes, brightens, is super lightweight and doesn’t have that sticky after feel.  It smells like fresh lilies and is infused with lots of minerals that nourish, tone and moisturize your skin.  

10.    Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer ($44)- A lightweight oil free formula with an SPF of 20 that gives a sheer hint of color and a healthy dewy finish.  It applies so easily and you can use it with a brush, a beauty blender or even your fingers.  

11.    Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana (starting at $29)- This is summer in a bottle for me.  The perfume includes things like Sicilian Citron, jasmine, amber and white roses.  It is so fresh and feminine and it makes me so happy! (P.S. prices may vary, so see if you can get a free sample from your favorite perfume counter or store).

12.    Tarte Lights Camera Splashes Mascara ($21)- This is basically the waterproof version of the Lights Camera Flashes mascara, as it also lengthens, volumizes, curls and conditions.  It is the perfect mascara for your next beach or pool day and it will stay on until you decide it’s time to take it off.

13.    Caudalie Beauty Elixir (starting at $18)- This product is a bit extravagant but just gives the most amazing feeling.  It is partly a toner and partly a serum; it tightens your pores, smoothes the skin, stimulates microcirculation and adds radiance.  You can put it on before your makeup or use it as a setting spray.  If you’re traveling on an airplane this summer, bring the travel sized version with you and use it while traveling. It’s the perfect pick-me-up, has the most amazing fresh scent and makes you feel like a million bucks.  But beware – it can be addictive!

14.    Laline Body Soufflé ($32.95)- This lotion is so creamy and luscious.  I put it on after the shower while my skin is still a little damp and it just locks in the moisture and makes my skin feel super smooth and rich.  I got the Coconut Verbena scented lotion, which smells incredible and makes me want to roll all around in it.  It’s that yummy!

Hope you enjoyed this post.  Now go out there and try some of these products for yourself, and let me know which are your favorites!  If there are any products you think belong on my essentials list, please comment below and I’ll be sure to check them out!  Hope you’re all having a great summer.

XOXO,
Grace

DIY Picture Collage

Hi lovelies,

I recently worked on a DIY picture frame collage at home and thought I’d share it with you.

There are a few ways to go about making a picture collage at home-- you could use the same sized frames, similar frame styles but different sizes, or completely different styles and sizes.  I went with a cleaner look and used similar styled frames in 2 different sizes.  I used two 8X10 and six 5X7 frames.

What you’ll need:

• Frames of your choice
• Wax paper or tracing paper
• Artist’s tape or scotch tape
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Measuring tape
• A leveling tool
• Nails
• Hammer

Begin by tracing each frame onto tracing paper.  Cut each outline so you have individual pieces of paper.  For each piece, measure the position of the hook on the frame using the measuring tape and mark it with an “X” (you can also poke through the middle so you’ll get an existing space for the nail).  I suggest figuring out the layout of your choice (feel free to be creative) on the floor or table so it’s easier to move things around. 

Once you’ve come up with the layout design of your choice, measure its entire length, and mark the middle point on the wall.  Take the middle frame outline (in my case it was frames), use the leveling tool to make sure it’s straight and tape it in that middle mark on the wall.  Measure out the space for the next stencil using the measuring tape, level the next piece, and tape it onto the wall.  Continue measuring the spacing and leveling of each additional piece you are taping on the wall until you’ve done them all. 

             

When you’ve finally taped all of the stencils on the wall, hammer a nail right on the “X” mark of each of them. 

     

Place your desired photos into the picture frames and simply hang them on top of the stencils with nails. 

Go ahead and adjust the frames if they are a bit off center, but rest assured that gravity will help you out and straighten most of them out. 

(FYI the images may look slanted because they were taken at an angle, but believe me, they are as straight as an arrow)

Once all the picture frames are in place just remove the stencils and tape from the walls (be careful not to damage anything if you’re not using the artist’s tape), and voila! You’ve just created your very own picture collage!!

Easy-peasy right?  :o)

I hope you’ve all enjoyed this post and please let me know if there’s anything else you’re interested in seeing!

XOXO,

Grace